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Candlelight Records today confirms September 28 as the North American release date for A Thin Shell, the new album from Sweden’s OCTOBER TIDE. Currently featuring guitarist/founder Fredrik Norrman (Katatonia), vocalist Tobias Netzell, drummer Robin Bergh, and session bassist Jonas Kjellgren (Scar Symmetry, Carnal Forge), the album is the band’s first in ten years and follows the 2009 reissue of their debut, Rain Without End (Candlelight).

Mixed/mastered at Black Lounge Studios in Sweden and featuring artwork from American photographer/graphic designer Travis Smith (Opeth, Katatonia, Testament, Death), A Thin Shell delivers what fans have anxiously awaited from this treasured band. Seven doom-laden and emotive songs that are every bit as heavy as they are catchy fill the impressive recording that officially closes the band’s self-imposed, decade-long hiatus.

“I have wanted to get OCTOBER TIDE back together for some time,” reveals Norrman. “When we decided the time was right, ideas for new songs surprisingly came together nicely. Many sleepless nights were involved, with lots of coffee of course, but the songs were written in flow one after another.”

Discussing the recording process Norrman notes, “we started recording in March of last year. Jonas (Kjellgren) liked what he heard and offered to get it into the (Black Lounge) studio’s schedule even though we didn’t have a label yet. What was meant as a side project so long ago is now my main project and I am very proud of it. We only hope people enjoy it as much as we do.”

Formed in 1995 by then Katatonia guitarist Norrman and Katatonia/Bloodbath vocalist Jonas Renkse, OCTOBER TIDE quickly made a mark with two albums recorded and released during the years 1997 and 1999 (Rain Without End and Grey Dawn, respectively). Much of the band’s music was written during a short break up of Katatonia which later proved only temporary as the band would reform and continues today; their latest album Night Of The New Day features work by Norrman. OCTOBER TIDE would not perform live during this short period of activity and few interviews with the members were granted despite praise from both media and fans. The band, until reforming in late 2009, would maintain a cult status throughout the doom/metal community.

Decibel Magazine calls Rain Without End “a peculiar album. It reminds of past and future Katatonia albums yet, it’s entirely unique in vibe and riff assembly.OCTOBER TIDE‘s slow to mid-paced doom/death stuns… Renkse and Norrman using counterpoint, build/release tension and melody to peerless effect.” EBlogger Lonely Ghost Transmissions on its 2008 review of the album’s European re-release says, “Rain Without End is without a doubt the greatest doom-death metal album ever.”